Walker hopeful

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33741, 14 January 1975, Page 24

Walker hopeful

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. John Walker hopes to be able to train throughout this week and then intends to compete in Christchurch on Saturday. “If I can, I’ll race over 800 metres during the Wel-lington-Canterbury meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday and try for a fast time. I’d be aiming for Imin 46sec and if I can’t run that it would be hopeless contesting the games 1500 metres event,” he said yesterday.

But Walker said he' thought he needed a miracle if he was to race Filbert Bayi over 1500 metres at the New Zealand Games, which begin next week.

He has missed 10 days training because of bronchitis and is very doubtful about his chances of being fit enough for the games.

“I ran 13 miles on Sunday and it was a real struggle,” said Walker. “It was the first training I’d done since I picked up a virus on New Year’s Day and I’ve lost a lot of strength. I’m really disappointed but there’s not much I can do about it.” Walker is also entered for the games 800 metres. If he is not in condition to race the . 1500 metres he may decide to run only the 800 metres. It all depends on how well he performs on Saturday. two more Australian athletes, the decathlon pair, Robert Lethbridge and Terry Beaton, have withdrawn from the games. Their replacements are R. Goff and C. Tompkins. A replacement has also been named for the Australian high jumper, Laurie Peckham, who withdrew at the weekend. He is L. Sayers.

Davis Cup.—Chile beat Brazil, 4-1, in the South American zone final of the Davis Cup. Tomas Koch beat Jaime Pinto in straight sets. 6-2, 6-4, 6-3, in the last singles to give the Brazilian team its only victory. Jaime Fillol made it 4-0 by beating Luis Felipe Tavares, also in straight sets. 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.